WINOOSKI - The discovery of a "clandestine lab" in downtown Winooski prompted the closure of part of the traffic circle and the evacuation of buildings and homes.

The city summoned the state Hazardous Materials Response Team, and cleanup and a police investigation were continuing into the night Tuesday after the authorities learned of the lab in one apartment.

A shelter was set up nearby for displaced residents.

Law enforcement and city leaders declined to say what type of lab was operating in the apartment, or whether any arrests had been made. An update is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Winooski Fire Department Chief David Bergeron said the issue was contained to one apartment in the block of buildings along the west side of the rotary. The HazMat Team arrived shortly after 5 p.m., suited up in protective gear and entered the building. Ladders stretched from the sidewalk to the second-floor windows above The Monkey House bar.

The authorities began responding to the scene at about 2:30 p.m., including the Winooski police and fire departments, St. Michael's College Fire Department, and the Vermont State Police.

Acting City Manager Ray Coffey said the city received information about the existence of the lab.

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Winooski firefighters and state hazmat personnel investigate a suspected clandestine lab in a downtown building Tuesday, March 8, 2016.(Photo: Zach Despart/Free Press)

"After an initial investigation, it was determined there were items present that indicated the presence of a functional clandestine lab," he told reporters. "The immediate area was evacuated due to safety concerns.

"With assistance from the state of Vermont Hazardous Materials Unit, we determined that there was no danger to the community," Coffey continued. "A decontamination of the apartment is underway and will continue into the evening."

Part of the rotary leading into Burlington and the sidewalk on Main Street in front of The Mule Bar, Our House, The Monkey House, Sneakers and Tiny Thai were blocked off Tuesday afternoon, Coffey said.

West Center Street and West Canal Street nearby also were closed "until further notice," according to an alert from the city. Numerous fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.

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Winooski Fire Chief David Bergeron speaks with the Burlington Free Press about a hazmat situation on Tuesday, March 8, 2016(Photo: Zach Despart/Free Press)

Bergeron said the evacuations, which began at about 3 p.m., were "precautionary." Some restaurants were asked to close.

"We’re erring on the side of caution," Bergeron said.

No injuries were reported, and the incident appeared to be isolated, Coffey said.

Traffic was being diverted away from the blocked area. Traffic during rush hour was backed up on streets that filter into the rotary. Coffey encouraged drivers to seek alternate routes.

"We are trying to keep traffic as far away from the rotary as we can while we get this cleared up," Coffey said.

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Winooski firefighters and state hazmat personnel investigated a suspected drug lab in a downtown building on March 8.(Photo: Zach Despart/Free Press)

Eastbound traffic still was flowing through the traffic circle.

The O'Brien Community Center at 32 Malletts Bay Ave. was serving as a shelter for those who were displaced, Coffey said. He was unsure how many people were affected.

Resident Dale Laclair said he was displaced from his Main Street apartment when police evacuated his building.

"They knocked on the door and told us we had to vacate for three to four hours," Laclair said. "That's all they told us."

Laclair sat on a retaining wall outside Papa Frank's restaurant on West Center Street and smoked a cigarette. He said the warm spring weather provided a good excuse to get outside, but he hoped to return home in the evening.

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Winooski resident Dale Laclair was displaced from his apartment when police evacuated a city block due to a suspected clandestine lab Tuesday, March 8, 2016.(Photo: Zach Despart/Free Press)

Aaron Josinsky, chef and co-owner of Misery Loves Co., said his restaurant remained open, even though neighboring businesses on the rotary were evacuated.

“I’m literally sitting with the owner of the Mule Bar at our restaurant,” Josinsky said at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, before officials disclosed the presence of the clandestine lab. “Nobody is inside (the) businesses, and all of the apartments, they’re all evacuated. And no one knows why.”

He said police and fire departments were on the scene, and people were told “other authorities” were on the way.

“We don’t know what that means,” Josinsky said. “The traffic is ridiculous. ... There is no way to get to the post office. It’s very hard to get to our restaurant.”

He added, “We’re going to be open, but I don’t think anyone’s coming in.”

As afternoon turned to evening, business was brisk at Misery Loves Co. As dozens of firefighters milled about outside, diners listened to Bob Dylan and tried to ignore the flashing lights of fire engines through the window. Several passersby stopped in to ask what had happened.

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission issued an alert shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday urging residents to stay tuned to traffic updates by texting "WINOOSKI" to 888-777. The city also planned to post information on its website, www.winooskivt.org, and also through Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Contributing: Sally Pollak and Lauren Read of the Free Press. Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC. Contact Zach Despart at 651-4826 or zdespart@burlingtonfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZachDespart.